Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced five months ago that the Trump administration would "rapidly" deploy body cameras to immigration agents nationwide. Yet approximately half of ICE officers still operate without them, raising accountability concerns amid recent shootings involving agency personnel.

The delayed rollout underscores persistent gaps in transparency for federal immigration enforcement. While the policy directive aimed to equip all field agents, procurement hurdles, training requirements, and logistical challenges have slowed implementation across multiple field offices.

Critics argue the absence of body cameras undermines public trust and complicates investigations into use-of-force incidents. Advocacy groups have long pushed for mandatory recording during arrests, detentions, and tactical operations.

The Department of Homeland Security has not provided a revised timeline for full deployment. Meanwhile, agents continue daily operations without the oversight tool that many law enforcement agencies consider standard.